The National tribune., 1887-05-05
TIE COLORED TROOPS.
How the 18th and 59ih Behaved on
the GuntOwn Trip.
BY MAJ. JAMES c. FOSTER, 59th U. g. C. T,
HIGBY, o.

injustice TO the colored troops that comprise
part OF the forces under Gen. Sturgis Iu l a
disastrous raid in juno, 1864. No lrya. man
whether civilian or soldier, can b. f51a5 ~
does not honor Southern loyalis, Cr n'
would tarnish the record OF tae lsi N IS
Mounted Rifles; but justice 20 these nc be .lei
does not make il necessary 20 migrel -It th'
deeds of any other regiment, co.9r " W.T.
Col. Jackson said.
Gen Siurgis was sent ou' 7.ita rrt F0o7 oops
and two regime a ~ C1a .ntc .uet attack
Gen Forres' ne uevs of h'. -ieat - carried
10 Memph ines" uslt ug sI HeET cs, who heo
in ierrorf the deli 10 sing side their arms
aecouiein lis ana rrc.y lmPcdiment TO an es
cape from ihr peril.
These regin-ats Of "cottonfeld ne,
groes =" Ito 55th aud 59th u. 5. c. T.
Their Gmandcrs, as well as all their OIL
GERS were selected from the veteran volunteer
regiments on account Of soldierly qualities de-
veloped in two years service and any mistake
in such selections was speedily righted by ex.
aiming boards with which the air seemed
filed for the benefit Of cOlOred troops alone
a fortunate hing for the officers Of white regi-
ments. These two regiments. equal in drill and
discipline 20 any in Gen. Sturgis's command
were the last TO go into battle. We will let the
official report Of Col. McMillin, commanding
Infantry, tell Of their conduct The history oi
chat long and terrible retreat is as yet un-
written.
shall begin at dusk, after the battle, when
Col. Cowden, who was severely wounded,
turned the command Of the 59th Regiment
over TO me. This regiment was the last 10
leave the Geld, and was in excellent shape. A
few officers had been wounded, but the organi-
cation was perfect, and had no stragglers. This
regiment, with Col. Mikins's First Brigade,
remained within mile of the battlefield for at
least three hours after Gen. Sturgis, with the
IA Gf big hoA lpff far Rtpla
miles away, having abandoned all his artillery
and wagons-everything on wheels-and with
out leaving orders for Col. Wilkins
While searching for our line, which we sup
posed was near, / learned the condition of
affairs and reported the facts TO Col. Wilkins,
who reluctantly gave orders for rapid march to-
ward Ripley. IL seemed hard TO leave 20 pieces
OF artillery with caissons and $50 wagons, but
the animals, with their drivers, were all gone.
Fortunately, Gen. Forrest did not realize how
completely we had been routed, and did not
strike MS until the next morning. The 59th
formed the rear-guard and successfully held
the enemy IN check until relieved by body Of
cavalry that had been sent back from Ripley TO
learn our fate.
At Ripley the 59th. colored, was not halted
but with the Both, colored was sent 90 hold the
enemy, who were pressing us, until the other
troops got out Of town. These two regiments
",
and faced him for some time after their ammu-
milton was all gone aud until the 6,0O0 troops
were on the way TO Memphis, 20 miles distant,
our position was rather uncomiortable-no
ammunition aud none 10 be had-and we fell
back IN line OF battle expecting TO find line Of
cavalry, at least, 10 cover the retreat, but no
such line had been formed. We retired slowly
and IN good order threeiour of a mile, half
OF the distance through heavy wood with
dense growth of underbrush. Here halt was
made, and j started 10 learn something of our
position.
short scout revealed the fact that we were
within POO yards Of road filed with Forests
victorious troopers. following Gen. Sturgis. and
without any knowledge Of our presence In
short conference with Capt. Reeves, command
ing the 55th, we failed 10 agree on a plan of
escape, and concluded that each commander
should take his own coarse the object being 10
get as near as possible TO Memphis before dis
banding.
All hopes Of reaching that place with an or
ganizaion was now lost. Word was passed TO
officers and men TO follow their commanders,
make DO noise, and TO keep well closed up. /
rode 10 the head Of the 59th and started north,
Keeping in the woods as much as possible. AZ
ter perhaps an hour had passed ! rode back
90 learn the condition of the regiment, and was
dismayed to find that / had six companies of
my own regiment and four of the 55th, but
escL company had its organization, and / had
10 good companies still. The march was con-
tinued as rapidly as possible, and our ioy was
great when we struck road well lined with
broken guns and ammunition, and when each
man bad tox and pockets filled with cartridges
we ielt safe An effort was now made 10 COM
municate with Capt. Reeves of the 55th, who
WAS marching through the woods parallel with
The road taken by Gen. Sturgis, but without
success. AT dark we came 10 Col. Wilkinss
Brigade halted for the night at the roadside
reported to Col. Wilkins and was received
with regrets, as Fort Pillow was fresh in his
mind and he did not care TO be captured with
coiOred troops. lie 50 expressed himself and
only consented for us 20 remain when informed
That we could beat of any force that would
attack our rear. The march was resumed at
midnight, the 59th, cOl0red. forming the rear
guard. We will let Col. Wilkins's official re-
port tell Of its conduct. do not intend any
reelection on Col. Wilkins. He was a brave
man and was killed few days later, under
Gen. A. j. Smith, but the two days and one
night continual fighting, marching and fasting
had made him childish. as others Just as brave
and much stronger physically became before
that dreary retreat ended.
The c0lOred troops were not attached TO Col
Milkins's command, and he was in no way re-
sponsble for their conduct. Col. Wilkins, in
his report says:
Al one time rear was charged by Buford's
cavalry, but they were repulsed by the negro troops
anu "a lew hali breeds. Our rear was, however oc-
casionally bred upon until long after dark but the
ltnperlurbable GOODNESS and steadiness of the col
ored troops under Capt. Foster kept them in check
and prevented confusion.
In regard 20 the conduct of the "cottonfeld
negroes in the battle at Guntown, Col. Nc
Millin, commanding the infantry of the expe-
ditiOn, says:
The colored regiments fought with n gallantrv
which commended them 10 the favor Of their COM
7 .des u-arms. ] desire TO bear testimony 20 their
bravery aud endurance, well as the galaniry of
Col Sowden aud Maj. Lowe, commanding regi.
meuts.
The reports from which the above extracts
are taken can be found IN the Army and Nary
Gazette Of May, 1865, pages 760-7G2. These re.
poris-one Of the battle, the other near the end
OF the rctreat-should forever settle all ques-
lions concerning the action Of the colOred troops
an the Sturgs raid. The regiment commanded
by me formed the rcar-gnard on the roads tray
clcd by US from Guntown 10 Memphis, except
Tor short Term just before reaching Ripley.
Al no time was there particle Of confusion,
nor dld we double-quick a step from Guntown
10 Memphis. Capt. Reeves, with six compa-
MES OF the 55th and four Of the 59th, was not
so fortunate. Hedid not find ammunition, and
aiier evading the enemy for long time was
forced TO disband. Most Of his command got
10 Memphis, many with their arms. Some
body blundored. Who was itp Twenty pieces
oi artillery and $50 wagons were never before
10 an enemy with 80 little loss of
life. Let no one try TO fastcn the blame on
the men OF any organization. Each company
and regiment was just what its officers made il.
and there was not regiment i'm the war of the
rebellion, on either side that III properly Off